How many valves does a Ford 302 have?
The classic Ford 302 Windsor V8 typically has 16 valves in total (2 valves per cylinder).
Understanding the valve count on Ford's 302
The Ford 302 refers to Ford’s 5.0-liter V8 built on the Windsor architecture. It uses a pushrod design with two valves per cylinder—one intake and one exhaust—across eight cylinders for a total of 16 valves.
Valve-count breakdown by engine family
The following outlines how valve counts vary between the most commonly referenced 302 variants.
- Windsor-based 302 (classic 5.0): 2 valves per cylinder, total 16 valves.
- Modular 5.0 (Coyote family, modern 5.0): 4 valves per cylinder, total 32 valves. Note: This is a different engine design from the Windsor 302 and is not typically referred to as a "302" in the same sense.
In short, if you mean the original 1968–1995 Windsor 302, expect 16 valves. If you are looking at the modern 5.0 DOHC engine often called the "Coyote" 5.0, it uses 32 valves, not 16.
Why the distinction matters
Valve count affects airflow, valve timing, and the cylinder-head architecture. The Windsor 302 uses single-block, pushrod heads with two valves per cylinder, suitable for many street applications. The later 5.0 DOHC (Coyote) family uses four valves per cylinder to improve intake and exhaust flow, enabling higher RPM and increased power in contemporary setups.
Summary
The classic Ford 302 Windsor has 16 valves in total (2 per cylinder). If you are asking about the newer 5.0 DOHC engine, that design has 32 valves. Always verify the engine family and build code to be certain, as the label "302" can refer to different architectures across decades.
Is a 5.0 and a 302 the same?
Ford's small-block 302 debuted in the '60s on production nameplates such as the Mustang, Bronco, and F-100, and the engine was rebranded with its metric displacement, 5.0L, in 1978.
Is a 351 stronger than a 302?
Just by looking at its crankshaft. Its main caps its webbing. And how much thicker and stronger the blocks are the 351 Windsor is stronger. It lacks the RPM that a 302 can produce. And therefore.
How much horsepower does a 5.0 liter 302 engine have?
A stock 5.0L 302 engine's horsepower varies significantly depending on the model year and application, ranging from around 140 to 290 horsepower. For example, a 1972 two-barrel version was rated at 140 net horsepower, while the high-performance Ford Boss 302 from 1969-70 produced a gross rating of 290 horsepower. Later versions, like a 1988 model, typically produced around 225 horsepower.
- 1969-1970 Ford Boss 302: 290 gross horsepower
- 1972 (two-barrel): 140 net horsepower (originally rated at 210 gross horsepower)
- 1983-1985 (with 4-barrel carb): 175 horsepower
- 1988: Approximately 225 horsepower
- 1990s Explorer/Mountaineer: Around 215 horsepower
Note: Aftermarket and crate engines can produce much higher horsepower figures, sometimes exceeding 400 horsepower, depending on upgrades like performance camshafts, cylinder heads, and internal components.
Can you get 400 hp out of a 302?
What you do need is sound machining; a good set of cylinder heads; the right cam, intake, and exhaust; and meticulous assembly techniques. Read on to find out what it takes to make your 289/302 First On Race Day. The bottom end only needs to be strong enough to live at the desired power level-in this case, 400 hp.
